TDB Backs Plant-Based Indoor Air Purification System by Urban Air Labs to Improve Indoor AQI

New Delhi: In a significant push toward indigenous clean air solutions, the Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has extended financial assistance to M/s Urban Air Labs Private Limited, Gurugram. The funding supports their project titled “Development & Commercialization of a Made in India Efficient Wall-Mounted Air-Purification System for Indoor Premises.”

The initiative, rooted in the fusion of biotechnology and engineering, aims to combat indoor air pollution through a compact, plant-based purification device called ‘uBreathe Life’. With growing concerns over deteriorating indoor Air Quality Index (AQI), especially in urban spaces, the device promises to deliver a sustainable, science-backed solution suitable for homes, offices, hospitals, and other enclosed environments.

At the heart of this innovation lies a patented technology known as ‘Breathing Roots’, inspired by the ‘Urban Munnar Effect’. The system uses indoor plants not just as decorative elements, but as active components in air purification. Air from the room is pulled toward the plant leaves and guided into the root-soil zone, where the purification process intensifies. A built-in centrifugal fan generates suction pressure, allowing the purified air to be released evenly in 360 degrees.

Mounted within an aesthetically designed wall planter box, the uBreathe Life device removes both particulate and gaseous pollutants, significantly improving the quality of indoor air. It represents a novel approach to clean technology—merging nature with innovation.

“TDB’s support to Urban Air Labs reflects our mission to back indigenous solutions that address pressing environmental challenges,” said Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB. “The fusion of biotechnology and engineering in this project offers a scalable, sustainable way to enhance indoor air quality, aligned with the nation’s clean technology goals.”

The funding not only demonstrates TDB’s confidence in the potential of uBreathe Life but also reinforces India’s commitment to innovation-driven self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. By encouraging technologies that respond to real-world environmental concerns, the government is paving the way for healthier, more sustainable urban living.

Thanking the Board for its support, the founders of Urban Air Labs stated, “We are grateful to TDB for their belief in our vision. With this support, we aim to make plant-based, natural air purification a norm in Indian households and public spaces. It’s time we bring nature back indoors, powered by science and innovation.”

With TDB’s backing, the uBreathe Life air purification system is set to redefine the way India approaches indoor air quality, offering a homegrown solution that is both efficient and environmentally conscious.